ROME, October 15, 2026 — The Vatican confirmed that Pope Leo XIV underwent successful surgery to remove part of his right lung after doctors discovered early-stage adenocarcinoma during a routine check-up. The 71-year-old pontiff is now recovering in hospital while his public engagements have been canceled for the coming week.
Successful Surgery and Hospital Recovery
Vatican doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora performed the 90-minute operation at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday, removing the lower lobe of the pope’s right lung. According to the Holy See Press Office, tissue examined during the procedure confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of the disease. On Wednesday, the medical team reported that the pope’s blood tests and chest X-ray showed results within the expected range for postoperative recovery.
By Thursday morning, spokesman Matteo Bruni said the pontiff had spent a good second night in the hospital and eaten breakfast. He also concelebrated Mass in the hospital the previous afternoon, resumed eating, started walking around his room, and began respiratory physiotherapy. The Vatican has indicated a hospital stay of about a week, with public audiences canceled until October 20 as doctors continue to monitor his condition.
Trump Offers Well-Wishes, Praises Pope’s Brother
Speaking to reporters at Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport in Bullhead City, Arizona, on Wednesday, President Donald Trump wished Pope Leo XIV a swift recovery. He acknowledged the seriousness of the diagnosis, saying the prognosis “seems to be good” based on information he had received. The president then shifted focus to the pontiff’s older brother, Louis Prevost, who lives in Florida.
Trump described Louis Prevost as a friend and highlighted the family’s political allegiance. “They’re big Trump supporters,” the president said. “They have MAGA all over their house.” He also praised Prevost’s wife, Deborah, and reiterated his hope for the pope’s quick return to health. The remarks came as the president continues his second term in office, with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio serving in his administration.
A History of Political Friction
The president’s warm words for the pope’s brother stand in contrast to his past criticism of the pontiff himself. On April 12, 2026, Trump posted on Truth Social calling Leo “WEAK on Crime” and “terrible for Foreign Policy.” He wrote at the time, “I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA.” Trump also claimed without evidence that Leo would not have become pope without his presence in the White House; Catholic cardinals elected Leo in May 2025.
Their disagreements have centered on migration and foreign policy. In November 2025, the pope said migrants should be treated with dignity while acknowledging a nation’s right to control its borders, describing some treatment of long-established immigrants as “extremely disrespectful.” Trump has objected to the pope’s stance on the war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Louis Prevost’s political opinions remain his own and are not reflective of the pontiff’s positions; Trump and Vice President JD Vance met Louis and Deborah at the White House on May 20, 2025, shortly after Leo’s election as the first U.S.-born pope.
Brother Louis Prevost Faces Own Health Battle
While the pope recovers from cancer surgery, his brother is navigating a separate medical challenge. Deborah Prevost told CBS News on October 13 that Louis has multiple myeloma and is undergoing treatment through a clinical trial following a relapse. He was first diagnosed in 2017 and received treatment in 2019. Deborah said the brothers spoke before the pope’s operation, though she did not offer a medical assessment of Leo’s condition. President Trump did not mention Louis’s illness during his remarks in Arizona.
Vatican Schedule Adjusted for Recuperation
The Holy See has cleared the pope’s calendar to prioritize his healing. All public audiences remain canceled until October 20, and the Vatican has not yet disclosed the cancer’s specific stage or details regarding any potential additional treatment. For families across the region and Catholic communities worldwide, the focus remains on the pontiff’s steady progress, with doctors reporting satisfactory early findings as he begins his second full day of recovery.
Sources
- What to know about Pope Leo XIV's lung cancer
- Donald Trump Responds to Pope Leo XIV's Cancer Diagnosis by Bragging That Pontiff's Brother Is MAGA
Photo: Margo Martin (Public domain)
